Kano signs 20-year deal with Dangote Foundation over skills centre

The Kano State Government has handed the management of the Aliko Dangote Skills Acquisition Centre to the Aliko Dangote Foundation under a 20-year agreement aimed at improving vocational training in the state.

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed on Tuesday, with the arrangement giving the foundation responsibility for running the centre and expanding its skills development programmes.

The agreement was disclosed on Wednesday by Sanusi Bature, spokesperson to Governor Abba Yusuf.

Bature said the partnership followed the approval of the State Executive Council and was designed to address concerns around the effective management and utilisation of the centre.

The state government was represented at the signing by the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Ibrahim, and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Abdulkareem Maude.

Representatives of the Dangote Foundation included its Programme Manager, North, Sanusi Abdulkadir, and Programme Support Officer, Mustapha Umar.

According to the government, the centre is expected to provide vocational and entrepreneurial training opportunities for young people across Kano under the new management arrangement.

Governor Yusuf said the decision was part of efforts to improve the quality of skills training available to youths in the state.

He expressed confidence that the foundation’s involvement would strengthen the centre’s management and training programmes, while encouraging the development of skills that could improve employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.

The governor also said the partnership was expected to support the state’s broader efforts to build the capacity of its growing youth population.

The 20-year management agreement marks a new phase for the skills centre, with the government expecting the facility to play a greater role in vocational and entrepreneurship development in Kano.